Nelson Commons mini-mall set to open later this month

by Becca Manning
For The Post

Ohio University students soon will have another reason to visit South Green for lunch.

The second phase of Nelson Commons renovations, which began Winter Quarter of last year, are scheduled to finish by the end of September, said Randy Shelton, director of OU Housing and Dining Services.

Workers made the Nelson mail room smaller in the first phase of the project.

In April, OU officials estimated the project to cost around $600,000. But Shelton said unanticipated structural issues have brought the project closer to $750,000.

Despite costs, Shelton said he was pleased with the project.

"Projects like these are fun," Shelton said. "It's not everyday we get to do something like this."

The renovations will double the size of Nelson's convenience store when the venture is complete. The renovated store will offer an increased number of frozen foods and convenience foods, Shelton said. Students will be able to use Green Cards, Bobcat Cash or cash at the store.

In addition, two new food outlets will open in Nelson: Sunset Strips, which will feature chicken; and Smart Mouth Pizza. Both will operate similar to a Grab 'n' Go during regular meal hours, Shelton said. Students will be able to use their meal plans to purchase a combination meal.

During other hours, the eating places would function like the Shively Corner walk-up window, Shelton said.

Shelton said the menu will be consistent most of the time, but the stores will run specials.

The new mini-mall also will feature a video store and copy center, Shelton said.

Local video rental businesses will vie for the spot by writing proposals that address how each would run the store. The business with the best proposal will be able to rent the space from OU, Shelton said.

For South Green residents, the mini-mall offers services closer to their residence halls.

"It takes me twenty minutes to get Uptown. I think this would be much more convenient," said Suzanne Romero, OU sophomore and Dougan House resident.

Some OU students not living on South Green said they are excited about the renovations, but others said it will be too far away to visit regularly.

"I definitely would check it out," said Wes Meermans, an OU sophomore living on East Green. "Right now we don't have access to that kind of thing on campus. It would be nice to have an alternative to dining hall food."

Nelson Commons, built in 1968, was originally modeled after the Boston

Commons in Boston, said Stephanie Bartlett, renovations manager for OU Facilities and Auxiliaries. The project designers worked to bring back the traditional style.

"We wanted it to look as if you were not inside, but outside," Bartlett said.

She said the designers have used building textures, reflective mirrors and indirect lighting to heighten the ceiling for an airy look.

A lowered stone-paved concourse with benches and plants will replace the center stairwell. OU will sell stone tiles for students to have their names engraved on during the next few weeks, Bartlett said.

OU officials still are finalizing the details for the sale.